Reviews You Can Rely On

Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 Review

gearlab tested logo
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 Review (Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32)
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32
Credit: Mountain Hardwear
Price:  $380 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Mountain Hardwear
By Chris McNamara and Max Neale  ⋅  May 7, 2015
57
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth - 23% 3.0
  • Weight - 22% 8.0
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Packed Size - 5% 8.0
  • Features - 10% 7.0
  • Versatility - 15% 4.0

Our Verdict

Mountain Hardwear Has Discontinued the Phantom 32
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Comfortable hood
Good stuff sack
REASONS TO AVOID
Other bags are warmer for their weight
The Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 is outshined by the company's Mtn Speed 32, which is warmer for its weight. Both of these bags are high quality and perform well in summer conditions.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The New Version of the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 vs. The Older Version


The Phantom 32 has a new look! In addition to being available in Backcountry Green, the bag has 800-fill Q-Shield, which Mountain Hardwear says will maintain heat and maximum loft in damp conditions; the price has also increased from $290 to $380.

The newer version is on the left in the photos below.

Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32

Hands-On Review



Likes


The Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 is the lightest of the company's Phantom series. The bag has the same 800-fill down, ultralight shell material, and a similar cut as the other bags. We love the very comfortable hood and the perfectly sized stuff sack that allow the bag to pack down super small (other companies send their bags with stuff sacks that don't compress the bags as much as they could.) Overall, the Phantom 32 is a high quality, comfortable summer bag.

Dislikes


Quilt style sleeping bags offer a tremendous performance advantage over summer weight traditional style sleeping bags (those with hoods and zippers). We urge to you to consider a quilt.

Other traditional style summer bags have high quality down and lighter and stronger shell materials that make them warmer for the weight, more compressible, and more durable. The difference is significant, but not worth upgrading if you already own a Phantom 32 that's in good condition. Many other bags are much warmer for their weight than this one.

Value


The Phantom 32 is a good bag that's priced competitively.

Chris McNamara and Max Neale